Force Performance

Gwent Police operates through two Local Policing Areas aligned to five Local Authorities. Gwent covers 15,542 square kilometres and has a population of over 576,700 people which has grown 4.2% over the past ten years. Around 4% of the Gwent population is of mixed, black or minority ethnic background.

The county is economically and culturally diverse, with areas of affluence and deprivation bringing different policing needs. 12% of Gwent is defined as 'most deprived' and in 2013 the average gross weekly earnings in three of our Local Authority areas was 3.9% below the Welsh average.

Gwent is made up of rural towns, countryside and urban areas such as the City of Newport. Large regeneration and housing projects in Newport and Valley areas will bring benefits and challenges in the years to come and the large volumes of traffic carried through the M4 to the East presents a constant risk of organised crime.

The workforce is 12% smaller than in 2010. Despite this, there has been an increase in the level and complexity of needs of the communities we serve.

Reporting of historic sexual offences remains high. These are complex and lengthy investigations. Local acquisitive crimes (theft, burglary, shoplifting) are set against regional and national priorities. A continued rise in some violence offences (domestic abuse, violence without injury) has required an increase in the safeguarding of some of our most vulnerable. The policing of large scale operations such as the 2014 NATO Summit and the 2010 Ryder Cup must run alongside everyday policing.

We assess our performance in a number of areas to ensure we strive to always deliver the best quality of service possible. Our delivery plans highlight how we aim to achieve the priorities set by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Please note that the Gwent Police Force Delivery Plans for 2015-16 and 2016-17 relate to priorities that were set by the previous Police and Crime Commissioner.

In addition, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies (HMIC) regularly inspects Gwent Police. We are pleased that in their most recent PEEL inspections they have assessed us in the areas of Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy and have graded us ‘Good’ in all three inspections.

Our Police and Crime Commissioner co-ordinates the Independent Custody Visitor Scheme. Independent Custody Visitors are volunteers from all sections of the community who inspect our custody facilities. Their reports can be found here.